More of the Christmas Tour.........

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Hello Sweet Friends,

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Hope you are enjoying the Christmas Season.

I'm trying, I am truly trying,  but I still have not

whipped this cold,  and now hubby has it too.

He seems to be feeling better right now,  so we

will see how he feels in the morning!

*

Was talking with a friend from church today

and she said she and her husband had it for

about 2 weeks.............have to admit I did

not really want to hear that! lol

*

Hubby is suppose to have his stress test

this Friday,  so we will see how he is feeling

by Thursday morning I guess.

*

Got more stuff cleaned up today and wanted

to do the tree but never did cause I was

feeling under the weather again!

So took a nap instead,  then got up and made

more chicken soup for hubby,  well really

for all of us!

*

Last night our daughter and Rosie came over,

our 2 lil Miss Prisses!  We just love em to pcs!

*

If you feel so inclined please pray for Dee as

she is having some sharp pain on her right side

and she doesn't really seem to have any other

symptoms of appendicitis,  but she keeps

having the pains about every 10 mins. and

they just last a millisecond but they are pretty

sharp.  We are praying that they go away,

because right now she has no Insurance.

But will have Insurance come the 20th I think,

once she starts full time.  If she isn't better in the

morning she is going to the Dr., or if she

gets worse we will go the emergency room

tonight,  we are sure hoping that doesn't

have to be.  Last week I was getting pains

in the same place and they stopped after

a couple of days,  so hope maybe it has

something to do with that.

*

The picture on my header is of our living

room.  I decided to take my valances down

cause it didn't match the comforter I threw

over the sofa, amazing how one thing leads

to another!  so then it looked too bare

with just the shades so had to come up

with another plan,  still looks barer than

I like but got to worn out to care!

*

Doesn't it look like I posed Joey.

she actually climbed up there all by

herself,  and I happened to walk by

and see her,  was wishing I could

hang a red bow on her before I

took the picture.  She perfectly

centered herself.  Cracked me

up!

*

*

Just had to show you this!

I cropped this pic and put a rough pastel affect

on it,  and thought it came out so cute!

Think I might print it and put it in a frame

for Scott for Christmas!

*

*

This is in the hallway,  one of the last places

I was decorating,  starting to run out of things

to work with,  so stuck some berries from

potpourri in the pine branch and swagged

a ribbon.  So far, my only expense for

Christmas decorations has been for the

magnolia swag which I got 40% off.

*

*

This is in our dining room.  Had a pic there,

but wanted to move my wreath to another

area this year,  so had to figure out a way

to include the wreath with the plates.

*

*

We even have a Christmas clock

that plays music thanks to my

sweet sister-in-law,  and had

to gussy up my lil girl statue.

*

*

This is the top of  one of the  china hutchs

Just love that Angel, and the candlestick

Dee gave me for Mothers day.  We have

faulted ceilings and it looks nice having s

something so tall up there!

*

.*

Here's the top of the other Hutch,

my aunt gave us this angel years

ago and we really love her as well.

She is really bigger than this makes

her look,  it's the vantage point from

which I took the picture.

*

When I am completely done I will

take some whole room pics,  so you

can see how all the pcs. fit!

*

Have a great day tomorrow,  and hope

you are feeling and doing well!

*

See ya tomorrow hopefully!

*

Blessings,

Nellie

The start of my Christmas Tour

*

Hiddy Ho Lovlies,

*

Hope you are doing well this Monday

and that you all had a great weekend,

of decorating or fellowshipping or shopping

or whatever it was you wanted or needed

to get done!

*

I am happy to report I am feeling some better

and have gotten quite a bit done this morning,

starting to clean up all the debri so I can

vaccum and enjoy the fruits of my labor! lol

*

Guess you can see I got my mantle redone

for this year.  Actually,  I got it done last week but...

 decided to wait till I was about done decorating

 everything to post so there would be some continuity

am pretty much finished,  but the tree, the tree,  oh yes,

the tree!  lol

Throwing snow on it and having a natural

look was never more appealing,  so will

see what happens! lol

*

*

Thought I would give you a few close up shots.

We found this wonderful magnolia garland with

those pretty pink berries and variagated leaves.

I use poinsettias to decorate just about everything

 in here.

*

*

Threw in a few pinecones here and there

and poinsettia and then drizzle the gold beads

throughout.  I really wish I had put lights in

too,  but didn't think they would fit with

the candles back there.  Those are the

cream colored intricately cut cups.

I love those,  I use them for everything!

*

*

These are grapevine topiaries that I got at Ross years ago

for $6.00 each,   then later,  I  put them in the urn type planters

I found at Target for $5.00 each.  I use them all year long

but decorate them for whatever holiday it is, and just

move them to a new location. 

*

*

This is the top of my dining server which sits between

the dining room and family room.

A dear friend wrote a lovely Christmas poem

called "The Gift" about 5 years back and gave it to us,

so this is it's place of honor along side the stack of gifts

that another friend gave us one year that was full

of candies, nuts and goodies.  Course, the goodies

are long gone and were delicious,  but I loved that

I could keep the boxes and that they could become

an every year Christmas decoration to join our

poem,  and of course, more poinsettias,  they

cover a multitude of problems areas.

*

Wrappped around the lamp is actually a poinsettia

swag, and I fill in underneath with just a few more

to make it look good from the front.

Don't know if you notice that I mix the color

of reds from the Christmas red to the burgundy.

That is because I already had a lot of Christmas

red but also had burgundy in my curtains and some

other pieces,  so that worked out the problem.

*

*

Here's a few shots of the guest powder room.

Found these cute lil poinsettias at K-mart,  they

are from Martha Stewart probably 7-8 years

ago.  Loved them,  and I love using beads to

decorate,  they looks so festive and they

are so easy to drape on the shower curtain
*

*

I like using picks cause once purchased they last for years,

and you can use them in all sorts of different places and

ways.  Also Christmas cards are 0 dollar items that

look pretty when you mix them in among other

decorations, like the Christmas tree card above.

I keep the ones I really like and think I can use from

year to year, cause some are pretty and some are

outstandingly pretty, and some have really great messages

 or sentiments as well.  Any that you like well are

keepers,  just put them in a ziploc bag and store

them with the rest of your decorations if you

don't already do that!

*

*

Here is an adorable lil Bisque Christmas tree

that I got from Cracker Barrel probably close

to 20 years ago.  She was $10.00 and you

plug her in and she lights up,  just love it,  and

she matches well in the powder room.  I used

the irredescent paper behind it to hide the

cord,  works semi well!  lol

Look better than the cords all hanging out

anyway! lol

This was taken with the light off so you

could see the lights shining through it.

*

*

These are across the sink from the Christmas

tree.  I used the epsom salt in the glass

candleholders before putting the candles in,

love how it looks.

Then used plastic snow all around it, mainly

to cover up the back of the picks, loved

the way it came out.  It is really hard to

get good photos in the powder room for

some reason,  can't get far enough away

from things I guess is the problem.

*

*

Back of the potty,  lil Santa my daughter

gave me years and years ago with Bath

and Body stuff.  I think he is so cute!

and  another pick.  I made the pictures

above  the potty from the wallpaper

and framed them.  There are actually

2,  there is another one above this one,

but couldn't get it all in the picture.

*

*

Here was a shot before I added the snow,

and I hadn't added candle cups, knew

I would have a mess if I didn't have

candle cup.  I usually have these candle

sticks up on the shelf  above the towel

rack,  and they are never burned so

I can get away with it there.

*

*

More poinsettias and beads on the mirror.

and  you can see a lil bit of the bathroom.

*

Well,  that ends my tour for the day.

I have the camera charging right now,  so

I can take some more pics of the rest.

*

See ya tomorrow,  I am going to

lay down for a bit before hubby gets home.

*

Merry Christmas!

*

Spread that Christmas Cheer around

to everyone you See!

*
I'll be glad when I can get out and do that,
I'm afraid all I would spread right now is Christmas germs!!  lol
*

Blessings and hugs,

Nellie

Have a Wonder of Christmas Sunday & All Season Long.......

(A Sweet Nativity given to us by Scott a few Christmas back)

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Good Sunday Morning to you Sweet Friends

*

I am a lil late doing my post today,  but I am sure

you want mind!  Wound up staying home from

Church today,  bummer,  but enjoyed listening

to Charles Stanley and the Worship Network

with all the beautiful scenic pictures and Christmas

Music,  and I really enjoyed it!

*

I think I am a lil better today, not coughing

and blowing as much, and a lil more energetic

feeling so trying not to get busy,  but know

I better lay low still, am hoping this is the

last day of that!  Only time will tell!

*

Well,  I will leave you with scriptures

from Matthew 1:18-25

*

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to

Joseph, but before they came together, she was

found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous

man and did not want to expose her to public

disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the

Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph son of David do not be afraid to take

Mary home as your wife, because what is

conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to

give him the name Jesus, because he will

save his people from their sins.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord

had said through the prophet:  The virgin

will be with child and will give birth to a son

and they will call him Immanuel - which means,

"God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the

angel of the lord had commanded him

and took Mary home as his wife. 

 But he had no union with her until she

 gave birth to a son. And he gave him

 the name Jesus.

*

Have a Wonderful Sunday and Christmas

Season filled with the Awe and Wonder

of it All!

*

Thanks for coming by,

*

Love, Hugs, and Blessings

to you all,

Nellie

Just to say Hi and "Ode to a cold"

*

Evenin' Sweet Friends,

*

Look what Scott found.........a Reindeer Dog!!

Isn't she cute!  This is our lil hiker dog, Joey,  remember!

*

Well,  I am still sick and sitting here eating a bowl of

chicken soup I made today, while I am blogging.

Can't taste it,  but it sure feels good in my tum tum!

*

Hubby just left to go to church and help with the

toybox ministry,  but shouldn't be gone too long,

then we will watch another movie tonight.

*

We watched an old classic ,  "It's a Wonderful Life"

 last night cause I was feeling really lousy and started running

a fever after 4 days of being sick,  my fever has gone down,

 but it is just lowgrade now, thankfully!

Don't get that,  but whatever!

*

Tonight we will watch another Christmas movie

called "Imagine that" with Eddie Murphy.  It is a

"PG rating",  so hope it is good, you never know

these days.  I have to be so careful recommending

movies cause we have something called the TV

guardian on our DVD player,  and it blips out any

bad language,  so you don't hear it.  I have told

people something was good before,  then later

remember about the guardian,  and think who

was it that I told this was a good movie,  cause

who knows what they said in it!!

*

Have been trying to get the house decorated but

yesterday I did nothing and today I didn't do

anything till about 5 p.m.,  so did get a lil more

done,  would love to finish so I can get all the

boxes and containers out of here.

*

That would be delightful,  then I have to do the

tree still.  I don't know what it is,  but I really

do not enjoy doing the tree that much,  I love doing

 the house,  and I always love the tree when I am

done,  just am not crazy about decorating it.

Maybe it's cause I miss doing it with Dee,  she used

to help me put the beads and the snow on,

and some ornaments.  She and Scott used to put

their own ornaments on.

*

It was a tradition I started when they were babies

that we bought them a new ornament every year,

sometimes they picked them while we were on

vacation, if we happened to see a christmas store,

and as they got older I would try to pick something

that would symbolize something about their life

that year, if possible.  My goal was to give them

to them the first year they were married, so they

would have ornaments for their tree,  cause our

first year we hardly had any once we bought

gifts,  and our tree was sort of pathetic,  but

we had one!!  lol

*

So when Scott got married I sent them the ornaments

cause they like us, didn't have a lot of money to do stuff
 with and they used them,  and we were able to go up to Ky.
 to see them that year and got to see  their tree,  It was neat really.

Course,  who knows where they are now!
Scott certainly doesn't have them.

Oh well,  at least I reached my goal! lol
*

Well,  that is a whole nother story!!  lol

Will leave you with what I hope will give

you a laugh as I try to retain a good humor

with this yukky,  did I say Yukky cold.

*

Ode to A Cold

*

I think that I shall never see a cold

that stuck so close to me.

*

Maybe Joey, maybe Molly or even

Rosie in all her folly.

*

But, not this cold............it want relent

until my last energy is spent.

*

Prevention magazine I have read;

eat well, mild exercise, eat yogurt, drink

tea, and then their is Vitamin B and C.

*

Go away........ lowgrade fever,  burny throat,

tired achy body, and runny nose.

Please relieve me of all my woes.

*

I know you didn't come to stay but

right now it sure seems that way.

*

Tomorrow promises a better day,

So hope that means you're going away!

*

Merry Christmas

and to all a Good Night!! 

*

Hugs and Blessings,

Nellie

P.S.  Just in case you don't know,

Joey, is our son's dog,  aka grandaughter dog

Rosie, is our daughters dog, aka another grandaughter dog

and Molly is our Cat.

and they all like to stick pretty close to Mommy and Grammy!
See pic below!

*

Here they are in all their glory,  I took this cause

it is almost a miracle that they are sitting that

close to each other,  but it was because I

was just sitting between them and got up so

they actually stayed there,  so had to get a pic.

Rosie thinks she is a person,  and doesn't like

any other animals, Joey wants to play but

doesn't quite know how to go about it,

so we have some really spontaneous fights

once in awhile! I think one day they might

give Grammy a heart attack if they don't stop.
*
P.S. S. Here is an update,  the movie we watched
was not a Christmas movie,  but it was very cute
and heart warming, a lil strange at times,  but funny.
*
Have a Great Weekend!

Welcome to Thankful Thursday - December 3, 2009

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Hello Sweet Friends,

*

Hope you are doing well today!

*

Hope you enjoy the new changes we made to

my blog.  Thought it would be nice to add a lil

Christmas music too!

*

#1

I am thankful for the Christmas Season,

it is such a joyous time of the year because

of my relationship with Jesus.

#2

I am thankful for my nativity set, of 30 some odd

years,  and that we have only lost one wise man, in

all these years,  and have no chips or broken pcs.

Amazing, I think!

The wise men really weren't there when he was

born anyway,  they really came to visit him several years

 after he was born,  but I guess they include them because

after all,  they are a part of the Christmas story.

#3

I am thankful that I have been able to get some

Christmas decorating done inspite of the fact, I am

feeling pretty yukky.

#4

I am thankful for the rain this evening,  it was pretty

heavy.......and we really needed it,  we haven't had

any for awhile.

#5

I am thankful that we had such a lovely time for

Thanksgiving,  and that I was feeling good for it,

and that this cold I have delayed until then.

#6

I am thankful for Rooibus tea which I have been

drinking like crazy, cause it  makes my throat

feel better.

#7

I am thankful I was feeling well enough on Tuesday

 to make beef stew and had it to eat today, cause I felt worse

today than yesterday.

#8

I am thankful for Rotisserie Chicken from Sam's,

and frozen Potatoes that I just happened to have

because of Thanksgiving.  I bought them just in

case we didn't have any leftover from Thanksgiving

so I could whip them together quick to go with

our other leftovers,  but since I didn't use them

they sure came in handy for din din tonight.

#9

I am thankful that Scott and DeeAnna were

able to go to a concert together tonight.

It is so neat to see your children have a good

time together,  especially when they are

7 years apart.  We wondered if they would

ever be close,  and now they are!

#10

I am thankful hubby has the tree all put together

with the lights on so I can decorate it when possible.

I am also thankful for his help with my blog,  cause

I am truly technically challenged.

#11

I am thankful for Christmas music, it brings

such joy to my heart,  and I just love it!!

Guess cause I love the one they are singing

about as well.

*

Well Sweet Friends,  hope you have a list of

things you are grateful for as well

*

Would love to have you share some with me!

Love to hear from you !

*

Thanks for stopping in,

*

Hugs and Blessings,

Nellie

 

*

Hiddy Ho, Fine Friends,

*

Just wanted to take the opportunity to wish

you a "Merry Christmas Season"

since it officially starts today!

*

I thought I would just take a few minutes to

say Hello,  and then get back to decorating.

I am behind schedule,  which is fine.........

I caught a cold evidently so didn't get much

done yesterday cause I felt like a truck ran

over me to be exact! lol

*

This is a pic of our fireplace last year, I think

it is!  Finished decorating  the mantle last night

but have to do the rest which I hope to

accomplish today.

*

Well,  Happy Decorating and Shopping Everyone,

and Don't forget to take the time to go to a Contata,  Musical,

 Movie or to do some activity like playing Christmas music,
watching a heart warming Christmas Special, looking at
the pretty Christmas lights, caroling, or anything really,
 that reminds you of 

Our Wonderful Savior of the World!!

"Jesus"

He is worthy of  the Celebration of Celebrations!!

*

Have a Good Rest of the Day!

*

Blessings and Hugs,

Nellie

Fall is gone, Christmas is coming, and have a Wonderful Sunday!

*

Hello Sweet Friends,

*

Hope you all had a delightful Thanksgiving Celebration!

*

Our's was very good........it was only the 5 of us,  but it

was great.  GoodFood,  Good Conversation, Good Game

of Scattergories,  and a Good Movie to Kick off the

Christmas Season!!

*

I realized after it was all over that as usual I forgot to

take any pics.  I did take a few of the table beforehand

as usual,  and one of my daughter and Grandaughter

dog Rosie! So Cute!

*

*

The pretty green goblets were Wedding Presents

39 years ago!  I still love them as much as the day

I got them.

*

Didn't use my new dishes cause by the time I made up

my "Cotton Picking Mind" (as my Mom used to say)

and we went and got another set of the Shabby Chic

dishes it was too much extra stress to unpack them

and do all that needed to be done, so decided on

less stress and more enjoyment and peace.

*

Soon I will be unpacking the Christmas dishes anyway,

so I will look forward to my new dishes in the new year. 

We will have to have a " Grand Opening Celebration"

in their honor,  I already had a friend offer to help us

break them in!  lol

*

*

The candles and the lil pumpkin in my centerpiece

(Which you see in the first picture above)

were from my Goodie Basket from Miss Becky

over at Holiday in the Sun earlier this Fall.

They looked so nice on the table,  so Thanks

Becky, you lil sweetie you!

*

The place cards are recycled for years now!

Occasionally I have to make a few new ones

for other guests who come for Thanksgiving!

This year it was just the family, and quite

nice I might add.

*

*

and here is my lil scripture verse card I made for

each place setting.  Different verses on each

which we read at dinner.

*

And last but surely not least is my lovely daughter

and grandaughter dog!

*

*

I am so mad at myself for forgetting to take more pics.

I actually wanted to get my sister-in-law to take a family

pic of the 4 of us to put in my Christmas letter that I am

emailing to folks I don't see all year. I think I need a few

good doses of Gingko bilboa or whatever that is,

would probably forget to take it anyway!!  lol

*

Day after Thanksgiving,  No Shopping for Us,

we stay home and start taking down the Fall stuff,

and putting up the Christmas decorations.

Well.............we did get the Fall decorations down

and packed up and back in the attic,  but we

didn't quite make it to the Christmas stuff yet,

Hubby wasn't into it today, and wanted to go

to Home Depot instead,  so that's what we did.

we are getting them out of the attic tho in a few

minutes so I can work on it Monday!

*

My House looks sooooooooo sad without

all the Fall Decorations.

*

*

So bare and unfrilled!

*

*

But soon it will be glad again,

clothed and frilled again,

full of fun and frivolity and

Christmas Music and Christmas Joy!

*

Oh, How I love decorating for Christmas

and listening to Christmas Music!

*

It makes my heart Glad, and brings

me such Joy!

*

There is nothing like the Christmas Season,

it has a Special Essence all it's Own!

I think it is the fragrance of Christ being

poured out all over the place by the Holy Spirit!

*

People seem happier this time of year,  and

friendlier, and nicer don't you think!  Now I

am not saying there aren't any "Bah Humbuggers"

out there because of course, there are!

But I just notice there are more Cheery Folks

than the latter, people are more helpful, more

talkative, more courteous,  at least that is what

I notice...........and I absolutely Love it!

*

So Merry Christmas Everyone Everywhere,

This the Season to be Jolly........

cause we know that Jesus is the Real Reason

for the Season! (to coin an old  phrase)

*

Enjoy ever moment of the Wonder of it All,

*

Love, blessings and hugs,

Nellie

*

Oh Yea,  and the verse for today is in

Luke 1:30-35

*

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary,

you have found favor with God.  You will be with

child and give birth to a son, and you are to give

him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be

called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God

will give him the throne of his father David, and

he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

his kingdom will never end." 

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel,"

since I am a virgin?"  the angel answered,

the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the

power of the Most High will overshadow you.

So the holy one to be born will be called the

Son of God.